GCAA launches heliport regulations workshop

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) conducted an inaugural Workshop supporting the implementation of the new regulations requiring all heliport operators to hold either a GCAA Heliport Certificate or Landing Area Acceptance.
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The interactive workshop that took place earlier this month was opened by Mr Mohammed Al Dossari, GCAA’s Director Air Navigation & Aerodromes Department, and attended by over 30 participants from UAE tourism, municipalities and health authorities, as well as heliport and helicopter operators.
GCAA Director General, HE Saif Al-Suwaidi said, “The introduction of heliport regulations serves to challenge previously unregulated areas of UAE aviation’s industry to achieve the highest levels of safety and security. Today’s workshop creates a solid foundation for the relationships and understanding essential to successful implementation of the new regulations.”

Mr Ismaeil Al Blooshi, Assistant Director General Aviation Safety Affairs added “The attendance at the workshop by so many stakeholders from outside the traditional aviation institutions illustrates the nation’s broader commitment to aviation safety. We look forward to working with these new stakeholders under the world-class safety regulatory and oversight regimes of the UAE.”

Mr Mohammed Al Dossari observed, “This workshop is the culmination of two years’ engagement across multidisciplinary sectors of the GCAA, the Prime Minister’s Office and segments within UAE industry and government, such as tourism boards and municipalities. These typify a new breed of indirect stakeholders with a vested interest in the new heliport regulation and supporting processes. We look forward to conducting additional workshops and I am also pleased to announce the UAE has been selected to host the first ICAO Heliport Seminar in December 2015.”

The DG Directive 2015, issued on 1 January 2015 regarding Implementation of Heliport/Helideck & Landing Area Acceptance Regulation target UAE Heliport, Helideck & Aerodrome owners or operators as well as Helicopter or Aircraft Operators who are currently using non-certified facilitates.